Teammates congratulate University of Evansville’s Travis Tokarek after home run during an Aces' home game last season against Southern Illinois Edwardsville.(Photo: MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS)Buy Photo

EVANSVILLE — The Missouri Valley Conference released its annual baseball coaches' preseason poll Tuesday morning, and expectations for the University of Evansville remain low.

Following an 18-39 season last spring, the Purple Aces were picked to finish seventh of the eight teams — only ahead of newcomer Valparaiso. They also did not have a player named to the preseason all-Valley team.

No. 17 Dallas Baptist, which hosts the MVC Tournament in May, is the favorite to win the league after receiving seven first-place votes. Missouri State, the defending regular-season champion, was predicted to finish runner-up and collected the other first-place vote.

UE returns eight starting position players, led by senior catcher Travis Tokarek (.266 BA, 8 HR, 36 RBI) and senior first baseman Andrew Tanous (.303, 4, 31). Junior outfielder Nate Reeder (.289, 7, 43) is also back after leading the team with a .482 slugging percentage.

The Aces’ biggest unknown headed into the season will be on the mound. They feature a brand new-look starting rotation as projected Friday night starter Justin Hayden is reportedly out for the season with an injury. Junior lefthander Alex Weigand (2-3, 5.35 ERA) is expected to take his place as the No. 1 starter and 6-foot-4 sophomore Adam Lukas (0-0, 17.36) is a rising prospect to watch closely.

Following DBU and MSU, in order, are: Indiana State, Southern Illinois, Illinois State and Bradley.

Indiana State senior Dane Giesler, a Jasper native, was a preseason all-MVC pick. He clubbed a team-high 17 home runs last season.